Article for structural and other purposes



March 21, 1939. R. H. ANDERSON ARTICLE FOR STEUGTURAL AND OTHER PURPOSES Filed July 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I yW 47702/1/5 5 March 21, 1939. I ANDERSON 2,151,066- ARTICLE FOR STRUCTURAL AND OTHER PURPOSES Filed July 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Shet 2 14770/P/VEX5 Patented Mar. 21, 1939 ARTICLE FOR STRUCTURAL AND-OTHER PURPOSES Robert Hutchison Anderson, Clifton, Bristol,

Engla Application July 1, 1936, Serial No. 88,452 In Great Britain October 19, 1935 18 Claims.

'- ticle so that structures, particularly models, may

quicklyand conveniently be assembled and disassembled for demonstration purposes, for instance for demonstrating mathematical theories. The invention may also-be applied to general structural purposes and to the provision of a new type of container for merchandise.

According to one feature of the invention an article for structural purposes comprises a plurality of elements that are juxtaposed and interconnected so asto leave a network or honeycomb of. slots of plane form therebetween, said slots opening along lines that correspond to edges of a polyhedron.

According to another feature of the invention an article for structural purposes comprises a plurality of pyramids with the slant faces of the different pyramids arranged adjacent to one another and at an interior position relative to the completed article, said pyramids being connected interiorly to hold them together and thus provide slots extending from the edges of the 1 article to said connection that may be usedfor the insertion of connecting pieces.

According to a further. feature of the invention an article for structural purposes comprises a plurality of elements of pyramidal and wedge shapes, said elements being connected interiorly to hold them together thus providing slots extending from the edges of the article to said connections that may beused for the insertion v of connecting pieces.

r In another form the invention consists in an' article for structural purposes comprising six equal square based pyramids whose heights are substantially equal to half the length of the base side, said pyramids being connected together at'or near their apices to form a cube with slots between adjacent pyramids that may be used for theinsertion of connecting pieces.

The invention also consists in the further features hereinafter described and claimed.

' Preferably the elements are so constructed that their heights are slightly less than the distance from the surface of the article to the positions where they are connected. This results in the elements being strained to make said connection and hence adjacent faces are pressed tightly together so that connecting pieces may be tightly held therebetween.

Some of the elements may be made hollow and if desired the face opposite the apex omitted. Such an article may be adapted for use also as a container by providing lids to cover in the open faces of the hollow elements.

Various forms of structural articles in accordance with the present invention are diagrammatically indicated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs. 1-5 show a cube made from thin cardboard or the like, Fig. 1 being the blank from which the pyramids are constructed, Fig. 2 a plan View of a completed pyramid made from the blank shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 an elevation of the pyramid shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a perspective view showing the relative positions of the pyramids before assembly into the completed articleand Fig. 5a finished cube showing extension flanges pulled out as connecting pieces.

Figs. 6-8 show a cube made from cardboard, or the like, but from a type of blank which results in' a skeleton type of cube, Fig. 6 being a suitable blank from which the pyramids are constructed, Fig. '7 a perspective view indicating the relative positions of the separate pyramids before assembly into the completed article, and Fig. 8 a finished cube with an additional part that may constitutea closing face and/or connecting pieces for the cube.

Fig. 9 shows a modification to enable a cube to rest on one of its edges.

Fig. 10 shows a further modification to enable a cube to standon one of its corners.

Fig. 11 shows a form of connecting strip for constructing columns.

Fig. 12 shows a column made by using the connecting strip of Fig. 11.

v Fig. 13 shows a skeleton cube in which the pyramids have been truncated by inverting the apex.

Fig. 14 shows a modification to enable skeleton cubes to be placed securely on each other.

Referring to Figs. 1-5, the blank I for a pyramid comprises a square 2 equal in area to the base of a completed pyramid and provided with equal wings 3, 4 on opposite sides 5, 6 and equal 45 extensions 7, 8 on the other two sides 9, Ill.

The wings 3, 4 and the extensions 1, 8 are all in the form of trapezia that are symmetrical about a line joining the mid points of their parallel sides, but the sides 5, 6 of the square 5 form the shorter of the two parallel sides of the wings 3, 4, while the sides 9, III of the square form the longer of the two parallel sides of the extensions 1, 8.

The wing 3 is creased or scored by lines ll,

which extend from the two corners of the square to the middle point of the longer parallel side of the wing, and thus said wing is divided by the scores into three triangles l3, l4, IS.

The wing 4 is similarly creased by lines l6, ['1 to form triangles l8, I9, 20.

The operation of folding the blank I to form a pyramid is as follows:

The wings 3, 4 are folded about the sides 5,.6 respectively so that they meet at a line which is parallel to the line joining the middle points of the sides 9, ill of the square but lies above the surface of said square. 7

The distance between the parallel sides of the wings 3, 4 is so selected that the height of the,

meeting line 2| above the surface of the square 2 is almost equal to half the side of the square and this is the required height of the finished pyramid. The triangle I3 is next folded about the line H until the edge 22 touches the square along the side, 9, the arrangement being such that when this triangle has been so folded it will occupy the positionrwhere it acts as part of a side of the finished pyramid. The triangle [8, whose sizeis similarly selected, is next folded about the line I6 until its edge I2.almost touches the side 9 of the square when it will'overlap the triangle I3.

The triangles l5 and 20 are then folded in similar manner. but in opposite'order. Thus the triangle I8 is folded over the triangle l3 and the triangle 20 is folded under the triangle 15. This forms an interlock as will be seen at 15 in Fig. 2 which prevents any tendency for the two .wings 3, 4 to bend beyond their meeting line 2|. Finally the extensions 1, 8 are folded about the sides 9, ll) so as to lie against the combined triangles l8, l3 and I5, 25 respectively and these are consequently prevented from spreading outwardly.

It will thus be seen as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 that apyramid has been constructed whose base is the'square 2 and slantsurfaces' are as follows: 1st surface is triangle l4, 2nd surface istriangles l3 and lBand extension 1, 3rd surface is triangle. l9 and ethsurface is triangles 20 and I5 and ex- It will be observed that. the plain faces l4, IQ

of one cube will bind together the overlapping triangles. l3, l8 and 20, I5 of others and so secure the six pyramids individually as well as collectively when the glue has dried.

With a cube as constructed above, it will be seen that a network or honeycomb of slots is formed opening along lines that correspond to all the edges of the cube and extending therefrom towards the centre of the polyhedron.

Pyramids formed as described with regard to Figs. 1-5 have the advantage that very little waste is occasioned by cutting the blanks from rectangular pieces'of sheet material as the width of the wings 3, 4 is equal to the width'of the square plus the extensions 1, 8. r I

-Figs. 6-8 show a' cube made' from pyramids withoutbaseswhich results 'ina skeleton cube as previously explained.

In this case the blank 29 for each pyramid is as shown in Fig. 6, and consists in the four sides of the pyramid opened out in the'form of triangles 30, 3|, 32, 33. Scores or creases are made along the radial lines 26, 21, 2B and then the triangles 36, 3|, 32 are folded in the same direction, each through an angle of about 60, about the scores 26, 21, 28 respectively until the edges 33, 34 meet.

Such pyramids, as indicated in Fig. 7, are formed into a cube in the same way as previously described and the open edges 33, 34 of the different pyramids are arranged so that they come adjacent closed edges, 21, 28.

Preferably in this type of cube incisions 35 extend for a short distance up each edge of the pyramids in order to permit of the faces opening out more readily to receive connecting pieces.

' Fig. 13 shows a form of cube made from pyramids'with reentrant apices.

This cube H4 is made in the same manner as that described with reference to Figs. 6-8, but as will be seen, the slant faces of 'each of the pyramids are scored at H5, H6, H1, ll8(sh0wn In using the invention for toys and containers 7 many other varieties of connecting pieces may also be employed. For instance columns for toys may be made "by using connecting strips as shown" in Fig. 11. This comprises arectangle 41 bounded on its short sides 48, 49 by connecting extensions 50, 5| and on its longer sides by strengthening 7 pieces 54, 55; To construct a column the connecting extensions 50, 5| of four such strips are inserted into similar.v slots in two cubes, the strengthening pieces 54, 55being bent across between the two cubes through an' angle of about and thus, as will be seen in Fig. 12 a column is provided with cubes at each end and anintermediatejtubular portion which is also provided with slots 56 at its edges but said slots 56 extend right through the tube; If desired the tubular portion may be made from a single folded.

sheet thus leaving one open edge.

.1A tubular portion as last described may also 7 be applied when constructing a containerfor merchandise by attaching it to a cube at-each end. In this case it would be'desirable to havethe folded connecting tubular portion permanently attached tothe end cubes along three edges so as to leave one face free to open .by turning about a folded edge. If the connecting tongues or extensions are glued on the inside only then the slots in which they are thereby cemented will not be sealed but will remain open for the insertionof further connectingxstrips. r

.Referring to Fig. 5, it will be extension such as .1 is pulled out (thismay easily in place of aiseparate connecting piece, and iftwo or more are pulled out one cube may be fixed'face seen that if one 7 t '60 be forced out with a piece of wire.) it may be used 7 to face with another; :1With the arrangement of the edges of a skeleton type of cube (Figs. 6-8). 7

it mayv conveniently be accomplished by forming I such pieces 38, 39, 4D, 4! as extensions on the edge of 'a square 36, asshown inFig. 8, thesquare36 approximating to' the area of the open face of the cube. This square 36 may be attached-to thecube by'two opposite "pieces 39, 4|, leaving two pieces 38, 4!] free to be bent to connect with the edges of other cubes. It will be seen that if six squares 36 are attached to a cube in this manner there will be twelve extensions used to attach the squares and twelve available to use as connecting pieces and these may be arranged one at each edge of the cube.

In a modification of the last described feature, if all the extensions 38, 39, 40, 4| of six squares 36 areinserted in the appropriate slots of one cube so that the squares 36 form faces to the cube, it will be seen that a multiple container is formed comprising six compartments 13, each of said compartments being supplied with a lid 36. It will also be seen that slots 63 are still available for the insertion of connecting pieces. This feature'is also useful when constructing models for demonstration purposes when such models are top heavy. In this case balance weights may be placed in compartments 13 of certain cubes to enable a model to stand upright.

Referring to Figs. 13 and 14, the above described feature of attaching lidsto faces of skeleton type cubes is also useful when said cubes are partly or wholly constructed from truncated pyramids as previously described. In this case if a'lid in the form of a truncated pyramid I20 is attached within the slots !2[ of another cube (see Fig. 14), another similar cube as shown in Fig. 20 may be placed thereon and will be interlocked by reason of the external reentrant pyramid-of the one fitting within the internal reentrant pyramid of the other.

Fig. 9 shows in perspective a cube standing on one of its edges. In this case a skeleton type cube 62 is shown with slots 63 along all edges of the cube, and two pyramids 64 attached. These pyramids are of the same form as those used for sheet metal'cubes, i. e. made from the blank shown in Fig.6 but with flanges 43,44, 45, 46, said flanges being inserted in the slots 63.

the cube 62 has three pyramids 64 attached in the same way as for Fig. 11. The pyramids in this case must be of greater altitude than those forming the cube so that the apices 69 and the corner 10 of the cube all lie in one plane.

,Although the invention has been described as applied to rectangular polyhedra, it will be understood that any other shaped polyhedron may also be formed. I

.It will be understood that elements for constructing articles in accordance with the invention may be constructed from blanks other than those-described. It will also be understood that the edges of the elements may be rounded or bevelled to enlarge the openings into the article without departing from the ambit of the inventhe edges of the article to the said connections, and the exposed outer junction edges of said elements on the perimeter of said structural article outlining the form of a polyhedron.

2. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of elements of pyramidal and wedge shapes, said elements being connected interiorly to hold them together and thus leave exposed the outer edges of open joints of plane form provided between the unconnected portions of adjacent faces of the elements extending from the outer edges of said faces to the said connections, and the exposed outer junction edges of said elements on the perimeter of said structural article outlining the form of a polyhedron.

3. An article for structural purposes as claimed in claim 2 in which the elements are hollow and have no face opposite the apex.

4. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of pyramidal elements of yieldable sheet material, said elements arranged to be connected at their apical portions and the outer ends of said elements being free so as to leave exposed the outer edges of open joints of plane form provided between the adjacent unconnected portions of the slant faces of the elements, and in which the exposed outer junction edges of said elements on the perimeter of said structural article outline the form of a polyhedron.

5. An article for structural purposes as claimed in claim 4 in. which the elements have no face opposite the apex.

6. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of pyramidal shaped hollow elements formed from flexible material, said elements arranged to be connected together at their apical portions and each having an opened face opposite its apex, the unconnected ends of the elements being free to provide open joints of plane form between the unconnected portions of the adjacent slant faces of the pymarids, and lids for closing the hollow elements.

7. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of pyramidal shaped hollow elements formed from flexible material, said elements arranged to be connected together at their apical portions and each having an opened face opposite its apex, the unconnected ends of the elements being free and thus leave exposed the outer edges of open joints of plane form provided between the unconnected portions of the adjacent slant faces of the pyramids, and lids for closing the open ends of the hollow elements, said lids being provided with connecting attachments of planeform to pack into the exposed open joints of plane form provided around the free end of each open element and thus secure said lids to close the open ends of the elements. I

8. An article for structural purposes as claimed in claim '7 in which the connecting attachments of plane form on the lids are flexible so that some of said connections on a lid may secure it to close the open end of a hollow element of one article and in the same manner the remaining connections may secure it to close the open end of an element of another article and at the same time couple the two structural articles together.

9. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of pyramidal shaped elements formed from flexible material, each pyramid having its height equal to substantially half the length of its base, said elements arranged to be connected together at their apical portions to provide a substantiallyrigid article, and the outer ends of the elements being free so as to leave exposed the on the perimeter of said structural article out-1 outer edges ofopen joints of'plane 'fo'nnprdvided between the unconnected portions of adjacent slant faces of the elements extending from the outer edges of said faces to said connections, and the exposed outer junction edges of said'elements lining the form of a polyhedron.

10. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of pyramidal shaped :elements formed from flexible-materiaL'said elements arranged to have their inner portions connected together to provide a substantiallyrigid structure and the outer ends of the elements being free so as to leave exposed the outer edges of open joints of plane form provided between the unconnected portions of adjacent slant faces of the elements extending from the outer edges of said faces to the said connections, the height of the elements being slightly less than the distance from the surface of the article to the positions where the elements are connected whereby the elements are slightly strained to cause the faces of adjacent elements to be pressed and wedged together.

11. An article for structural purposes as claimed in claim 7, in which the elements are truncated and interconnected near their truncated ends.

12. An article for structural purposes as claimed in claimA, in which the elements have no face 7 opposite the apex and in which the elements are truncated by inverting their apices so that the said apices re-enter the truncatedelements.

13. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of flexible polyhedron shaped elements, some of which are of multifaced wedge shape, said elements being packedtogether and having interiorly disposed portions connected together so as toprovide a substantiallyv rigid article and leave exposed the outer edges of :open joints provide a substantially rigid article and leave ex-i posed the outer edges of open joints of plane form provided'between the unconnected portions of the juxtaposed facesof' adjacent elements; and the exposed outer junctionedges'of said elements on the perimeter ofisaidstructurali article outlining the form of a polyhedron. r

15. An article for structural purposes comprising a plurality of polyhedron shaped elements;

someof which are of multifaced'wedge shape, said elements being packed together and having inter riorly disposed portions connected togethergsaid interior connection being 'such as to provide a flexible connection and produce a substantially rigid article and leave exposedthe outer. edges; of

open joints of plane formprovided between the unconnected portions of the juxtaposedfaces of adjacentelements, and the exposed outer junction edges of said elementson the perimeter of said structural article outlining the form of a polyhedron. 7

16. A blank for producing a'pyramidal element with an even number of slantfaces, said element having a base face provided with'extensions on all sides, said extensions on alternate sidesconsisting of a face attached to the base and adapted to fold inwardly until the apices of the said alternate faces meet, and said faccs'on' their opposite sides and the remaining sides of the base face I being provided with polygon extensions arranged! to fold inwardly'and overlap and interlockso'as to form the remaining slant faces of the pyramid; 7 1'7. A blank for producing a pyramidal element, f with an even number of slant faces, said element having a base face provided with extensionson all sides, said extensions on alternate sides consisting of a'face attached to the base and adapted toifold inwardly until the apices of thesaid alternate faces meet, said extensionson all sides of the base.

face having their outer edge parallel to their base edge, and said faces on their opposite sides and the;

remaining sides of the base face being provided with polygon extensions arranged to fold inwardly and overlap and interlock 'so as toform the remaining slant faces'of the pyramid.

18. A blank for producingjapyramidal element as in claim 17in which the outer parallel edges of the blank form opposite sides and a part of opposite sideswhich together combineto make a recs tangle. a V

R ERT :HUTCHISON ANDERSON 

